In an article about the American national security strategy, “Spiegel” writes that US President Donald Trump sees Europe “on the verge of collapse” and “indicates what forces he will rely on there.” In the opinion of the weekly, in the part of the document devoted to Europe, “an apocalyptic, almost caricatured image of the Old Continent was outlined.”
The article continues below the video
What are the main problems that the US administration sees in Europe?
What might censorship mean in Trump's vision for Europe?
What are the priorities of US policy towards Europe?
What does 'Spiegel' think about Europe's place in the US security strategy?
The German weekly notes that in addition to “economic collapse”, the US administration recognizes that Europe is facing “a real and increasingly visible threat of civilizational decline.” The main problems, according to Americans, include the actions of the European Union, which is intended to limit “political freedom,” adds “Spiegel.”
In the Trump administration's vision in Europe, one can even observe “censorship and persecution of political opponents,” writes “Der Spiegel.” And he sarcastically states: “in Berlin, Rome or Paris, but not Moscow.”
The main priorities of US policy include “resistance to the current course in European countries,” the weekly notes. “Does Trump mean direct interference of his government in the policies of individual European countries? And if so, what should it look like?” – he asks.
“The tone of the document is strongly reminiscent of US Vice President JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference in February. While the world, especially Europe, expected a clear US position towards global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, Vance used the Munich stage for a cultural and political tirade. Shortly earlier, in an interview for the Wall Street Journal, he called on German parties to cooperate with the AfD,” the weekly reminds.
“Spiegel” estimates that “the only good news for Europeans may be the fact that Trump considers them only his third priority.” The chapter on Europe is marked with the letter C, while A and B cover the Western Hemisphere and Asia, respectively. This is where American interests “are to be most intensively defended.”
Hence the frequent references in the document to stopping irregular migration, combating drug cartels and the Monroe Doctrine – a principle from the 19th century, according to which the Western Hemisphere is the US sphere of influence and interference from other powers should be resisted there. On Asia, the Trump administration “reiterates its persistent thesis that many years of trade with China have mainly benefited Beijing.” “State subsidies” and “intellectual property theft” are – according to Washington – problems that must be faced.
“The document may be received cautiously positively in Taiwan. The island, which the People's Republic of China considers its territory and is threatened with invasion, is recognized in the document as an area of strategic importance. Preventing a conflict over Taiwan is a priority for the US,” we read in “Spiegel”.
